Franklin: Penn State 'appreciative' for Rose Bowl berth

The CFP released the final rankings on Sunday, unveiling the four playoff teams who have a chance at the national championship.

Despite a thrilling win over Wisconsin in Saturday's Big Ten title game, Penn State was left on the outside looking in as the No. 5 team.

While James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are certainly disappointed not to make the CFP, the team has a pretty good consolation prize of a trip to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

"We've had a great year," Franklin said on the ESPN broadcast, as per Greg Pickel of Penn Live. "We would have all loved to be in the playoffs, but we're appreciative of the opportunity we have."

With the scholarship limitations placed on Penn State following the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Franklin faced a big job when taking over three years ago. Regardless of the fact they won't be in the playoff, the conference championship is certainly something to be celebrated in Happy Valley.

"I think again, we don't look at it just this year, it's been a three-year journey for us," Franklin said. "In the Big Ten, we play nine conference games, we don't play any FCS; it's a tough schedule. Our side of the conference is maybe the best in all of conference football."

With Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and Urban Meyer at Ohio State, it won't get any easier for Penn State in the Big Ten east going forward. However, the Nittany Lions performance in 2016 shows they will be a force to be reckoned with on a yearly basis.